Ode to Lilith by Joyce McCauley-Benner

Painting by Arna Baartz / Illustration from My Name is Lilith

In the darkest spaces
Where rage and fury collide
This is where I have found you

You tell me I have nothing to hide
To let it all out
That a goddess isn’t pretty
She is powerful

The tears and the scars
These are your gifts
Blessed and holy
But misunderstood

You turn weakness to warrior strength
Uncovering bravery not beauty
Worshiping you is dangerous
But liberating
Do not fear the dark
You preach
For where else will you shine your light?

A poem from Original Resistance: Reclaiming Lilith, Reclaiming Ourselves.

Joyce McCauley-Benner Poet. Screenwriter. Social Justice Advocate. Daughter of Goddess. Joy’s passion is writing and exploring divine feminine spirituality through the sacred portal of writing. She has worked 15 years in social service and social justice fields, advocating for low-income populations and women, children, and families affected by domestic violence, trafficking, and poverty. Her first script, Losing Maria, was created to promote the prevention of domestic sex trafficking of minors.